With the NFL draft set to begin Thursday, this week's mailbag was stuffed with questions about how the Detroit Lions might approach it.

This thing's already beefy, so I won't bore you with a preamble. Let's get right to business:

Kyle, you are GM for this scenario. Pitt DT Aaron Donald and UCLA LB Anthony Barr are the top players on your board for the 10th pick. Donald is a quick-twitch undersized menace at DT (Lions don't have any DTs signed for 2015) or you have a raw but highly athletic sackmaster at OLB with Barr. Who are you taking?-- Jeffrey Hartford

In that scenario, I'm taking Barr. The Lions don't have a tackle under club control for next season, but I'm firmly in the camp that you take the best player available regardless of roster, particularly in the first round. And I just think Barr is going to be a better player than Donald.

You can always sign guys via free agency to fill the void at tackle. And there's always next year's draft to address the need as well. Those guys have a track record for contributing early.

Barr, who was a running back in high school and began his UCLA career as a receiver, is a little raw. But he has the potential to be a scary pass-rusher and could help the Lions transition into their new scheme.

They want to use some 3-4, but to do that they need an avid pass-rusher at linebacker, something that wasn't really required in the old scheme. Barr, at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, could fill that void better than any player on Detroit's roster.

"If a team gets me, if they like what they see," Barr said, "they're going to love what they get because I'm just going to continue to get better."

Banking on that promise is a risky venture. But the upside could be worth it, at least in an either/or scenario with Donald.

I'm curious of what your odds are that Detroit would take LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. if they stay at 10? He's my "sleeper" candidate with only a combine interview on record. There were some random reports of him being a top-10 pick. It's generally assumed Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans. Would you consider him a big reach at 10, and would Detroit prioritize WR enough to pass on the likes of Justin Gilbert, Eric Ebron, Anthony Barr, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, etc? -- Josh

From what I hear, Beckham is a real possibility if the Lions are intent on taking a receiver at 10. Clemson's Sammy Watkins will be long gone by then, and it's possible Tampa Bay (No. 7) or Buffalo (No. 9) selects Texas A&M's Mike Evans. That just leaves Beckham.

He wouldn't be a stretch, either. He's a burner (ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine) who can play inside and out. Just like Golden Tate. Pair those guys together alongside Calvin Johnson, and the Lions could deploy an array of formations without ever having to make a personnel change.

Detroit could take Beckham at No. 10. The only question is whether that's a little too high. It's possible the Lions could trade back a couple spots -- picking up another selection in the process -- and still be in a position to select Beckham.

Is it possible that some of the Lions' pre-draft visits are partially used as smokescreens to throw off other teams into believing that they have heavy interest in a player when they really don't? -- David Noto

Three of last year's draft picks visited. None visited in 2012. And four out of five visited in 2011.

Check out this link for all the players who visited. If nothing else, it gives you a feel for what positions could be targeted. (Lots of receiver and defensive back.)

There has been a lot of talk about the Lions looking at WR with their top-10 pick, but North Carolina TE Eric Ebron is just as fast as Evans, nearly as tall and 15 pounds bigger. He seems to have what it takes to play inside and outside. Do you think the Lions should give him a long look, if he's still on the board? -- Simon Dale

Without question. As I said before, Detroit will go best player available at No. 10, as it should. So if the Lions have Ebron atop their board, they should take him, despite re-signing Brandon Pettigrew and returning Joseph Fauria.

If this were to happen, Ebron likely would play a lot in the slot -- kind of the old Tony Scheffler role. He's not much of a blocker at this point, but is terrific downfield as a pass-catcher and would give Matthew Stafford another big option to expose the smaller cornerbacks.

Mike Evans would be a major asset to the Lions' offense, with the ability to stretch the field opposite Calvin Johnson. -- Suntree

This is more of a statement than a question, but I included it because I totally agree. Evans has long been my choice for the Lions, if he's there, and that hasn't changed.

I just don't know what defenses would do to slow an offense that featured a 6-foot-5 Calvin Johnson and 6-foot-5 Mike Evans, plus the sure-handed Golden Tate and a pair of pass-catching tailbacks in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.

Can you imagine a red-zone formation that included Johnson, Evans and Fauria, each of whom is at least 6-5? It's pitch-and-catch at that point.

The problem, of course, is that Evans' stock soared after the combine and now many are projecting him to be selected seventh, to Tampa Bay, or ninth, to Buffalo.

But if he's available at 10, he's the guy. That to me is the best thing that could happen on Day 1, this side of a sensible trade up for Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins.

Martin Mayhew has always said he will take best player available. Has that changed at all? -- nflguru23

That remains true, especially at the top of the draft.

I think that some of the national draftniks put far too much weight on need, when the Lions -- like most teams -- are going to grab the best non-quarterback available.

I'm not going to call the guy out individually, but I was listening to a radio program the other day that said Detroit would be stupid to draft UNC TE Eric Ebron in the first round, because they already have Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria. And that guy is missing the point.

If the Lions believe Ebron is the best player available, they really should take him, unless there's a trade-down option worth considering.

Think of it this way: What happens if Detroit goes need-based, and grab the best available corner or whatever. And then Ebron blows up.

That means five years from now, we're talking about how much Detroit messed up by missing on Ebron, when it could have had him.

That's why you go BPA, especially at the top of the draft. Get the best players possible in your building, then figure out the rest of your roster after that.

Is there a player on the roster who could succeed Dominic Raiola at center, or do we have to draft one this year or next? I say next year, as this year's pick would occupy the bench and be one of the 53. Too valuable a space to give up. -- xprtobserver

I don't think so. Possibly Rodney Austin, but he says he's more comfortable at guard and prefers his future to be there.

The Lions could wait to draft someone until next year, but the problem is they've released Leroy Harris and Dylan Gandy, and lack depth in the interior. They don't just need a center of the future, they need a reserve offensive lineman immediately as well.

One possible solution would be to select Notre Dame's Zack Martin in the first round. He started a school-record 52 games at tackle, but is also Mike Mayock's No. 1 center. So he could play right tackle for a year with Detroit, then slide over to center in 2015.

Also, keep your eye on USC's Marcus Martin, who is widely regarded as the No. 1 true center in the draft. The Lions hosted him on a visit, and I've heard they are particularly keen on him. Could be an option if he's still there at No. 45.

Which draft gurus do you follow, Kiper, Mayock, others, if any? Do you ever take a look at any of the draft mocks? Walter, Bleacher Report etc.? If so, who do you think is the more accurate, or more reputable? -- 2014coach

I read and consider absolutely anything that's out there this side of that one guy in his mom's basement who has a blogspot. From ESPN, to NFL Network, to some fan mocks that get emailed to me. I mean, what can it hurt to take a look at the different logics that are out there?

Having said that, Mike Mayock is my guy. I've never been shy about that. He's going to miss, because they all do -- hell, even the teams miss on guys, right? -- but there's no one who does his homework as thoroughly as Mayock.

I also respect the fact he's not afraid to say "I don't know" about a guy, and then just move on. That, to me, lends credibility to the questions and subjects he does consider.

Mayock, for what it's worth, projects the Lions to select either Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard or Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin.

Is there a chance they take Justin Gilbert and move him to safety? He appears to be a playmaker with great ball and return skills who gets beaten deep too often for a CB. I see him as Ed Reed in the back of the D with great speed. He could shore up the back-seven for years. -- 2HitBS

I don't think so. Gilbert has a ton going for him -- his athleticism is unmatched in this draft, and does it with terrific size -- but his biggest knock is his consistency and aggressiveness in run support and as a tackler.

That flaw, naturally, does not lend itself well to the safety position.

Hey, Kyle, got any more Carlin Isle updates? I don't know what we'll do without Carlin Isles?!?! -- Awesome_Joey

Did you get lost on your way to scottishrugby.org or something?

Mr. Meinke, You are the Lions GM. Do you A) Try to trade Suh before/during the draft? B) Sign Suh to a new contract? or C) Let Suh play out this season and see were you're at? With your reasoning please. -- tshirtyden

There is only one option even on the table here. I sign Suh, and I do it yesterday.

I'm not sitting in on the Lions' negotiations, obviously, and have no idea for what Suh is asking. You obviously can't give him the farm. But I'd have no problem writing a check that makes him the best-paid defensive tackle in the league and calling it a day.

Here's the deal: He's one of the best defensive linemen in the game. He's the guy offenses scout for, and scheme for -- and he still produces.

He's scary. He's feared. He's an enforcer.

You want guys like that on your team. You are a worse team for letting a guy like that go, no matter what kind of package you get in return.

There is no team that would part with enough players and/or draft picks to make this deal square, let alone in Detroit's favor. Not with Suh under club control for only one more year.

Curtains.

Kyle, there have been 48 Super Bowls played and none of them have had Ndamukong Suh on any of the teams. Why is it so important for Detroit to keep him? -- liondriven

I can't believe the Lions actually allowed Barry Sanders to play 10 years for them. He never even appeared in the Super Bowl. TRADE BARRY!

I can't believe the Lions actually re-signed Calvin Johnson. When are they going to wikapedia all the Super Bowl rosters and notice he hasn't played on any of them? FIRE MAYHEW!

Did you know Dick Butkus never even played in a playoff game, let alone a Super Bowl? AND THEY LET THAT GUY IN THE HALL OF FAME?!?!?

You see where I'm going here. There are 11 guys to a side in football, and 46 active players, and 53 on the roster, and only a fraction of them will have a career that lasts longer than Arrested Development ever did.

What I'm saying is, there are a ton of variables that go into playing in a Super Bowl. So we shouldn't reduce a player's worth to whether or not he's made it to The Show -- particularly one who is just four years into his career.

Suh is really good. Detroit is better off with him. Can't we at least agree to that?

And among those teams, which would want to pay it, knowing he might be gone in a year? And knowing all that, would be willing to part with players/draft picks that would warrant Detroit giving away one of its star players?

When will they finally get the Suh deal wrapped up so the "Trade Suh" morons will finally shut up? -- kenja824

I'm about ready to start a Kickstarter to raise the $55 million-plus Suh wants. Get this thing done already, so I can open my inbox again.

I went out on a date recently, and the girl actually asked me whether the Lions will trade Suh! End the madness already. Sign the guy. I want to go out in public again.

Is Chris Houston's injury expected to be better soon, or could it affect the Lions' draft priorities?-- @KirmieB

There's no telling when Houston's toe, which he originally injured last season, will heal. He missed voluntary minicamp because of it, and I wouldn't rule out the possibly of him requiring some kind of procedure to correct the issue.

Houston told me he believes he can recapture his 2012 form, but needs to be healthy to do so. He didn't want to make excuses for last season, but did offer reasons for it, including multiple leg injuries that slowed him, as well as some off-field issues he preferred not to discuss publicly.

Given that, it's obviously a serious concern that he's still hurting.

But I wouldn't go so far as to suggest there's a consequential relationship between Houston's health, and whether/when the Lions draft a cornerback. I think they draft a cornerback either way, because they were 23rd against the pass last year, and there's no greater weakness on the team.

If they do it at No. 10, I think Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert is the choice. Some like Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard more -- he's definitely more of a finished product, and more consistent -- but Gilbert has the size and speed that Detroit craves on the outside.

Who's that slim fella wearing Fairley's jersey?? -- falero33

How much longer do we need to see Matthew Stafford? I understand the big money he gets and that allows him second, third and fourth chances, but I've seen enough and it may be time to move on. Hate to see all these young QBs available this year in the first round and we won't snatch any of them. -- endstrong

I understand your frustration, but not your conclusion. Stafford still has the natural ability that made him the No. 1 QB recruit in the nation, and the No. 1 overall pick, and the quarterback of a playoff team in 2011. And he's still productive -- just look at those yardage totals from last year.

The problem is the turnovers. I mean, just look at last year. Stafford threw seven picks in the first nine games, and the Lions were 6-3. He threw 12 in the seven games, and the Lions went 1-6.

I talked to a lot of analysts and former quarterbacks this offseason about Stafford, and while the criticisms varied, they all seemed to circle back to one flaw more than anything else: Lack of discipline.

Stafford loves to throw into coverage. I think that's because he trusts his arm unconditionally, because he's always been able to make whatever throw he wanted, and he trusts Calvin Johnson unconditionally, because he's Calvin Johnson.

So he's gotten used to throwing balls into coverage. And he's gotten careless.

Another young quarterback had a similar problem. His name was Peyton Manning. He averaged 20.3 picks in his first four seasons, and threw 26 in that fourth season.

Caldwell was hired by Indianapolis in 2002, and Manning didn't throw more than 10 picks in four of the next five seasons. Twelve years later, he still hasn't thrown 20 in a season again.

Obviously, Stafford is not Manning. But Caldwell has learned a thing or two about what it takes to be a disciplined passer in this league. And that's one of the biggest reasons yet to not give up on Stafford.

Who, by the way, just turned 26 years old. So lets not start paying our respects just yet

Kyle why no mention of the kid who led all wideouts in college last year in stats, Davante Adams, and do you see him still being there in the draft at No. 45 -- elprezidenta

The Fresno State wideout is definitely an option in the second round, if the Lions address another position in the first. He's rangy, at 6-foot-1, and a background in basketball makes him a dangerous leaper.

He led the nation with 131 catches last season, and also had 24 touchdowns.

But he also played in a pass-friendly offense with a terrific NFL-bound quarterback (Derek Carr), while playing against Mountain West Conference competition. So read into that how you will.

There are concerns about his physicality, and whether he can fight through the james he'll surely see against NFL corners. But he's quick and can play inside and out, so he's certainly a second-round option.